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Saginaw Valley State University

December 16, 2014

Youth Leadership students to present gifts to children at First Ward Community Center

Wednesday, Dec. 17, 4 to 6 p.m.
First Ward Community Center, 1410 North 12th Street, Saginaw

Students from high schools across the Great Lakes Bay Region and from Saginaw Valley State University will make the holidays a little brighter for children who participate in after school programs at Saginaw’s First Ward Community Center.

The students in the Great Lakes Bay Regional Youth Leadership Institute have been volunteering at First Ward during the school year. They will present gifts to their younger counterparts during a holiday celebration Wednesday, Dec. 16 from 4 to 6 p.m.  SVSU President Donald Bachand is expected to attend.

“Since its inception, the Great Lakes Bay Regional Youth Leadership Institute has partnered with United Way of Saginaw County to help provide others a happier holiday season,” said United Way President/CEO, Cherrie J. Benchley.

“This year the students attending the institute were able to volunteer as mentors and work firsthand with the students at First Ward prior to the holiday season. Not only will the students appreciate the generosity of others, they have enjoyed the time spent working together and getting to know these young leaders. United Way is thankful for each of these volunteers who have learned what it means to ‘Live United’ and have given their time and resources to help others in the Saginaw County community.”

In years past, Youth Leadership Institute students have wrapped and delivered gifts to families  selected through United Way’s adopt-a-family program.

The Great Lakes Bay Regional Youth Leadership Institute is a year-long community outreach program facilitated by SVSU's Office of Diversity Programs, in partnership with the Bridge Center for Racial Harmony. The initiative pairs 96 high school students from the region with 35 SVSU mentors. The program provides leadership development experience for youth focused on issues related to the intersection of diversity and leadership.